To pierce or not to pierce? Parents and experts weigh in on baby-piercing controversy

Written by Michael Cheuvront

The multi-decade debate of ear piercings for babies seems to resurface every few years. The moral controversy surrounding potential risks never ends with a definitive answer, but parents and piercing professionals continue to weigh in.

Throughout the years, the practice has made its way into parent discussion sites, local piercing stores, and even national popular culture news. When Kylie Jenner posted a video to Snapchat showing her five-month-old daughter’s new earrings, the topic was at the forefront of trending news yet again.

In an Instagram repost of the video, the comments section was split on support for baby Stormi’s piercings. 

“Awful, I could never cause my baby unnecessary pain,” said Instagram user @lainey1982. 

In response to the criticism, user @maiiam1221 replied, “People should mind their business with regards to piercing her daughter’s ears. It is a beautiful and unforgettable experience! I like it!”

These split opinions make waves in places far outside of social media, as many parents make the decision to get their baby’s ears pierced every day in a variety of communities.

One of the biggest chain stores that provides ear piercing services is Claire’s. Marketed towards children, the company offers starter kits, jewelry, and a fresh set of holes for as low as $20.

Lilly Tester, a former manager of a Claire’s location in Fort Collins, Colo., says there’s no true age requirement for a piercing.

“The rule is that anyone under the age of 18 has to have parental consent. I personally have pierced kids from 1 month to 18 years old,” said Tester.

According to Tester, Claire’s verifies ages with a valid form of ID, though the decision is left only to the parent or guardian. In these cases, parents not only speak for their month-old babies, but even children who are able to make decisions themselves.

“I definitely think that piercing a baby’s ears is more common at Claire’s because a lot of other places won’t do it,” said Tester.

The 22-year-old performed dozens of piercings at the retail chain, saying she often felt apprehensive about the practice when it came to babies.

“There’s always a chance that the baby could move and accidentally pierce the wrong spot. They usually have to be fixed later on, and it can be hard for some people to properly keep up with cleaning,” she said. 

The American Academy of Dermatology recommends cleaning an ear piercing very regularly with rubbing alcohol. Additionally, original jewelry should be left in the ears for at least six weeks. For babies, this regime is the responsibility of the parents, leaving piercers like Tester with a concern for proper upkeep.

“If not done correctly, it can cause infection. I pierced for a total of eight months at Claire’s, and I always think that the children should have a say in what’s being done,” she said. 

One of the major differences between most private piercing shops and Claire’s is the method of providing the service. The corporation uses piercing guns in their stores as opposed to disposable, surgical needles.

John Joyce, a professional piercer, and owner of Scarab Body Arts, says piercing guns are not made for proper sterilization.

“The plastic would melt in an autoclave, which is what we use to sterilize instruments like needles, jewelry, and any tools we might use during the piercing,” said Joyce in an interview with goodhousekeeping.com.

Additionally, piercing guns use a preset amount of blunt force to create the puncture, whereas a needle can be adaptable to suit the needs of each client, according to New York dermatologist Julia Tzu. 

In the case of children and babies, mall stores like Claire’s might appear to be the most convenient option. The massive popularity with the chain store’s services might fuel the controversy, but it may also highlight the importance of responsibly seeking out a piercer for young children.

Still, some parents are not convinced and continue to condemn the practice, even if done safely.

Loveland, Colo. mother Julie Russman says she only allowed her two daughters to get an ear piercing in middle school.

“There’s enough to do with babies, let alone deal with a piercing. My biggest worry is that it could get infected, especially while a baby’s working on their immune system,” she said.

While there exists a risk for infection with any piercing, many parents share an even bigger concern when it has to do with young children. For parents, this begs an important question: when is the right age?

For Russman, that age is about 12 years old. However, some parents might wait a longer or shorter amount of time before getting their child a pair of sparkly earrings.

“For me, the idea of baby piercings is very new, but I also know that some cultures and communities have valued it for a long time,” said Russman.

Many families consider a baby ear piercing as nothing more than a customary tradition. In Spain, it is not uncommon for babies to leave the delivery room with a piercing, as some midwives and hospitals provide a careful service to newborns.

Certain religions also include infant piercings as an integral belief. One of these is a Hindu tradition, the Karna vedha sanksar, where a child’s ears are pierced during the first three years of life. 

While some of the recent controversies imply an unnecessary “trendiness” of the practice, it is a concept that has existed in many circles for generations. 

Yoli Ramirez Tamez, an undergraduate student at the University of Denver, says growing up in Mexico gave her a unique perspective on the topic.

“I got my ears pierced right after I was born, which is very common]. It’s a tradition and a symbol of femininity that Latin families like to give their babies,” she said.

Ramirez Tamez says it is a practice that’s occurred since the 19th century. In addition to the symbolism and familial connection it brings, she says it is also done to protect a child from remembering the initial pain of the puncture. 

However, from petitions to praise, the issue of infant piercings continues to divide parents, piercers, and practices alike. Whether it be a rite of passage, or a celebrity headline, children and facial jewelry can vastly differ depending on the circumstance.

Regardless of the age-old debate’s prevalence in today’s parenting guides, most can agree that the safety of the piercing should remain at the forefront of any family’s decision to add some bling to their baby’s life.